Micrometastasis-derived models enable drug testing for early-stage, high-risk melanoma patients.

ABSTRACT: Relapse in melanoma after targeted or immune therapy necessitates the rapid identification of effective alternatives. To address this gap, we investigated whether the timely generation of preclinical models for functional drug testing could reveal additional therapeutic options. Our study focused on: (i) the feasibility of generating in vivo and in vitro models from melanoma lymph node (LN)-derived disseminated cancer cells (DCCs) before relapse, (ii) the implementation of preclinical models to identify therapeutic alternatives, and (iii) the ability to detect patients who could benefit from early functional in vitro drug testing. Successful model generation was significantly associated with DCC quantity, LN origin, and mortality risk. All patient-derived xenograft models were available be

SUBMITTER: Weidele K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12808144 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature